I didn't realize that this was part of an SQL statement. The quick answer is: "I don't know."

But if I understand you to be using this in a SQL statement then I am confused about why you don't just use
'MICHEL' >= 'M'

What exacty are you doing?

Guy




>>My preference is to use the wildcard character (or any alternative to changing SET EXACT.
>
>I wasn't sure if using the wildcard was making the SQL to not be fully optimized. Are you saying that it doesn't affect the optimization?